Spanish champions will have to be on their guard
on Saturday as they come up against a new
challenge in Juve
Juventus ' 1996 Champions League-winning coach
Marcello Lippi believes the Bianconeri will present
Barcelona with their toughest tactical proposition in
some time when the two sides meet in the 2015
final in Berlin on Saturday.
Lippi, who also led Italy to World Cup glory in
2006, has told Goal that the Serie A champions
have qualities that Barca have yet to face under
Luis Enrique, making them something of an
unknown quantity to the Catalans.
"These are the best two teams in Europe this
season, but when a team gets to this point in a
continental competition there are no certainties,"
explained Lippi. "In my opinion, Luis Enrique and
his side have not faced a team so compact, sturdy
and so willing to defend as Juventus.
"But the Bianconeri also know how to counter-
attack with speed when they regain possession,
and this could be a factor in how the game turns
out. Barcelona are favourites, of course, but I don't
think it will be as easy for them as many seem to
think.
"The Catalans have Martians in their attack in
Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, and that
will make life very complicated for Allegri. But
Juve are organised and tough, and we mustn't
forget that Buffon is one of the best goalkeepers in
the world. I expect a more balanced game than
most seem to think it will be."
The 67-year-old added that he sees something in
this Juve side that he has seen somewhere before.
"This Juve is growing similarly to my side back in
the 1990s, first in Italy and then in Europe.
Perhaps before long they will find themselves
winning the Club World Cup just as we won the
Intercontinental Cup in 1996. I would be delighted
if Allegri were to win the trophy. I am not envious
as they are all feelings I experienced and they are
intoxicating."
And Lippi agrees that Juve have shown a flexibility
in their Champions League campaign which bodes
well ahead of the final.
"I have no doubt about it, just look at the things
we've seen from this side. In Dortmund, for
example, Juventus really took the initiative,
showing superiority and a real awareness of their
potential. Then against Madrid they got on top in
the home leg, and while they were forced to suffer
a little in the return that is normal for any side at
the Bernabeu. They could even have won that
game when you consider some of the chances they
created.
"After three league titles, Allegri has come in and
really added something. He has removed any
anxieties from the squad and they have grown
tactically. They now play in two different shapes
without any transitional issues. This I how huge
teams function.
"Luis Enrique has had a similar impact at
Barcelona, and has got the best out of Suarez,
Neymar and Messi while at the same time they
recognise that he is the leader. We all know how
the Blaugrana play, the way they use the ball so
well and are hard to break down, but they have
never faced a team like Juventus, who are so
willing to defend so Messi and company will find it
difficult
"Juve, though, must believe in themselves and
take advantage of Barca's weaknesses. They must
not be in awe of the opposition, and remember that
all of the pressure is on Barcelona. I expect Juve
to be tactically astute, and in 90 minutes anything
can happen."
The former Napoli and Inter boss, who had two
separate spells in charge of both Juve and the
Italian national side, insists there is no set way to
prepare for a final.
"Everyone has their own way to prepare for such
an event. The important thing is to be focused on
the goal, on the field. In a final you have to expect
that there will be slight deviations to the general
rules, but the only important thing is the result."
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